Raindrops on Roses

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings... these are a few of my favorite things." 

Flowers from a Boy

A five year old boy. I trick you with the title didn't I? Yes these flowers are from my five year old housemate Boaz - probably because I am the only one left who listens to his stories (I still find them entertaining). They were beautiful until the pollen tracked in some very vicious friendly ants.

New Home

I live in a different city this year. Instead of living in San Luis Obispo - I am spending at least Fall Quarter in Arroyo Grande with seven dwarfs children (more on that later). What is amazing about their house is the beautiful flowers in the front yard. It makes me (and my camera) very, very, happy.

Balloon Flowers

At the Macaroni Grill there was a man making balloon creations. We were there to celebrate my cousin Jessica heading off to college. He made everything from monkeys to aliens. And Jessica got me, my mom, and my sister balloon flowers. They were amazing and glowed in the dark.

Rose Garden

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake..."

We had church today in the rose garden. It was Christina's brilliant idea to have not only a picnic but also to have church outside. It is one of the most people spots at our church.

Lupin

You may be wondering where is the amazing and lovable werewolf from Harry Potter (before Twilight fever hit of course) -but that is not this kind of Lupin. It is the beautiful wildflower found in Yosemite - where I am not going this year. But I will find a way. Plans are being set in motion to make it happen. You see I have this streak - I have been to Yosemite every year since I was born. Even the year it was snowed in - I still managed to go. I am not ruining my streak by any means... just how to I do it?

Thank You

Laura and Ben Rutter stayed at our house while we were in Washington and they left us the most beautiful flowers as a thank you. Which was funny because we stole some of the flowers from the wedding before left and left them as a thank you to our hostess. Ben and Laura probably paid for these - they aren't poor college students.

The Stalker Lens

I borrowed my friend Christina's 55-200 mm lens and I nicknamed it the stalker lens because it takes great pictures from far away. This view is from the ground far up into the tree and it looks so clear, I love it.

Poppies Everywhere

These are everywhere in SLO. On campus. Off campus. In yards and bushes, and anywhere else a flower should be - they exist. No wonder this is the state flower.

My Front Yard Conundrum

As you can see this flower is beautiful. There are many beautiful flowers in my front yard. What you can't see is that there is giant mess of sticks and brush and shrub and whatever plant term for butt-ugly distracting the eyes from the beauty. We asked a year and a half ago to for the landlord to get rid of it. Guess what - never happened.

Well at least we have these wonderful flowers.

Royal Way

I love when I find flowers in our front yard - its God's gift to me and my camera.

Trespassing

On our way to Spring Break Camp in the Sequoia Mountains - our car decided to take a quick adventure. That meant pulling off the to the side of the road, crawling under a barb wire fence, and crossing into what was most like private territory. Sure we may have been trespassing, but I would consider it exploring.  But we didn't harm anything - just looked around.

And this is what we found so it was worth it.

Back Yard Findings

I found this lovely flower hidden in our orange tree.

Creator

This is the reason you know there is one.

In Need of Photos

I didn't take a picture today. I'm sorry. But I thought this beautiful Hawaiian flower will serve as a substitute. I will do this frequently - show an old picture on a day when I don't have time and/or lack inspiration.

Life is Beautiful

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would still smell as sweet.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,

And for that name, which is no part of thee

Take all myself.